Obituaries, 4/30/08

Edith Mae Adams
Edith Mae Cavin Adams, 81, Kannapolis, died Wednesday, April 23, 2008.
Born Aug. 31, 1926, in Rowan County, she was a daughter of the late Banks Eugene and Bessie Mae Cagle Cavin. She retired from Cannon Mills Co. Plant 1 Sheet Department. She was a  member of Midway Baptist Church, where she had played piano for many years.
Survivors include her husband, Hubert Adams; son Troy Harwell of Kannapolis; daughter Mildren Hunter of Kannapolis; brothers Charles Cavin of Texas, Jim, Gene and Wade Cavin, all of Kannapolis; sisters Eleanor Smith of Maryland and Annie Wilhite of Kannapolis; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren.
A service was held Saturday, April 26, 2008, at Whitley’s Funeral Home, conducted by the Rev. James Pauley.

Richard Brashear
Richard Allen Brashear, 62, 823 Woodmoore Lane, Kannapolis, died Monday, April 21, 2008, at his home.
Born July 5, 1945, in Uniontown, Penn., he was a son of the late William Quay Brashear and Marjorie T. Brashear of Uniontown, Penn. He had been employed as a sales engineer for Tetra Pak Inc. and with Universal Forest as a driver. He was a 1963 graduate of Uniontown High.
In addition to his mother, survivors include his wife of 42 years, Louise Matthews Brashear; sons Allen Brashear of Charlotte and Michael Brashear of Hickory; brothers Milton Brashear of Uniontown, Penn., Robert Brashear of Charlestown, W.Va., and the Rev. James Brashear of Allentown, Penn.; sister Susan B. Ledonne of Hilton Head, S.C.; and three grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Memorials: Hospice & Palliative Care of Lake Norman, 705 Griffith St., Suite 203, Davidson, NC 28036 or Multiple Sclerosis Association, 706 Hadden Field Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002 or American Cancer Society South Atlantic Division, 6000 Fairview Road, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28210.
Whitley’s Funeral Home is in charge.

Sidney Britton
CONCORD — Sidney M. Britton, 87, of Concord, died Monday April 21, 2008, at CMC-NorthEast, Concord.
Born May 26, 1920, in Roanoke Rapids, he was a son of the late James W. and Annie Barnes Britton. He was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church and the Senior Center and the Board of Kiwanis. He served in the U.S. Army in Europe and was a member of the VFW and a charter member of the Arkansas Country Doctor Museum.
He was preceded in death by his son, James R. Britton.
Survivors include wife Katherine K. Britton; daughters Mary E. Britton and Denise MacDonald; son Sidney M. Britton Jr.; and three grandchildren.
A service was held Wednesday, April 23, 2008, at Epworth United Methodist Church, Concord, conducted by Dr. Glenn Myers. Burial, National Cemetery, Salisbury.
Memorials: Epworth UMC Building Fund, 1030 Burrage Road N.E., Concord, NC 28025 or Hospice and Palliative Care of Cabarrus County, 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis NC 28081.
Wilkinson Funeral Home was in charge.

Constance Buckwell
CONCORD — Constance Janet Buckwell, 73, 1 Buffalo Ave., died Thursday, April 24, 2008, at CMC-NorthEast, Concord.
Born July 30, 1934, in Kannapolis, she was a daughter of the late Dan and Irene Sloop Buckwell. She worked as a nursing assistant for many years.
Survivors include brother Jimmy Buckwell, North Myrtle Beach, S.C..
Services were not announced.
Lady’s Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge.

David E. Byrum
CONCORD — David Edwin Byrum, 89, died Saturday, April 26, 2008, at his home after a brief illness.
He was a retired attorney born in Winston-Salem.
Survivors include wife Sara “Inez” Mauney Byrum; son Charles “Steven” Mauney; brother Porter Brown Byrum; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
A graveside service was held Tuesday, April 29, 2008, at Union Baptist Church Cemetery, Polkville.
Memorials: Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, 120 Wall Street, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10005 or donor’s choice.
Hankins and Whittington Funeral Home, Charlotte, is in charge.

Lula Helms Cline
CONCORD — Lula Helms Cline, 89, of Concord, died at home on Friday, April 25, 2008.
Born on Jan. 4, 1919, in Cabarrus County, she was a daughter of the late Sam and Mary Elizabeth Byrd Helms.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lee D. Cline.
Survivors include daughters Betsy Hogue and Debbie Biggerstaff, both of Concord; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
A service was held Sunday, April 27, 2008, at Wilkinson Funeral Home, conducted by the Rev. Merrill Perkins. Burial, Carolina Memorial Park.
Memorials: Ann Street United Methodist Church, 335 Ann St. N.W., Concord, NC 28025 or Hospice & Palliative Care of Cabarrus County, 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081.

Shirley Daisy Corl
Shirley Daisy Safrit Corl, 98, 2409 Summit Ave., Kannapolis, died Saturday, April 26, 2008, at her residence following a period of declining health.
Born Oct. 8, 1909, in the Rimer Community, she was the daughter of the late William Alexander and Cordia Alice Rimer Safrit.
Mrs. Corl retired from Cannon Mills Plant No. 1 sewing room after 50 years of service. She was a member of New Hope Lutheran Church and the Women of the Church. She was educated in the Rimer Community School.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John Luther Corl, in 1963.
Survivors include son Charles Corl of Kannapolis; three grandchildren; half-sister Jeanette Haverty of Virginia Beach, Va.; and half-brother Bob Safrit of High Point.
A service was held Monday, April 28, 2008, at Whitley’s Funeral Home, conducted by the Rev. Kim Trabold. Burial, Carolina Memorial Park.
Memorials: Hospice & Palliative Care of Cabarrus County, 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis NC 28081 or New Hope Lutheran Church, Building Fund, 1615 Brantley Road, Kannapolis, NC 28083.

Minnie ‘Jo’ Drye
CONCORD — Minnie Josephine “Jo” Crayton Drye, 87, died April 21, 2008, at Morningside Assisted Living of Concord.
Born June 5, 1920, in Cabarrus County, she was the daughter of the late Shuford and Essie Osmond Crayton. She worked at various hosiery mills in Cabarrus County and was a longtime member of Coldwater Baptist Church in Concord.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Luke H. Drye, to whom she was married for 65 years, and their infant son.
Survivors include son Jerry Maxe Drye of Concord; two granddaughters; and five great-grandchildren.
A service was held Thursday, April 24, 2008, at Hartsell Funeral Home, conducted by the Rev. Jim Posey. Burial, Mission Baptist Church, Locust.
Memorials: Hospice & Palliative Care of Cabarrus County, 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081.
Hartsell Funeral Home was in charge.

James Elwood
DAVIDSON — James Aubrey Elwood, 78, 4240 Shiloh Church Road, died Monday, April 21, 2008, at his home.
Born Sept. 11, 1929, in Cabarrus County, he was a son of the late Ebb Harmon and Ethel Petrea Elwood. He retired after 40 years of service from Cannon Mills, where he was a loom fixer. He later owned and operated a small-engine repair service. He was a member of Shiloh United Methodist Church.
His wife, Mildred Starnes Elwood, died June 5, 1989.
Survivors include son Gary D. Elwood; three granddaughters; and a great-granddaughter.
A memorial service was held Thursday, April 24, 2008, at Lady’s Funeral Home. The Rev. Leon Hawks officiated.

Martha Ferguson
CONCORD — Martha Query Ferguson, 84, died Friday, April 25, 2008, at the Gardens of Taylor Glen.
Born May 9, 1923, in Cabarrus County, she was the daughter of the late Jacob Leon Query Sr. and Winnie Yerton Query of Harrisburg. She graduated from Harrisburg High School in 1941, where she lettered in basketball. She was a longtime member of First Baptist Church, Concord. She volunteered at NorthEast Medical Center, where she worked in the Pink Pinafore for many years.
Her husband, Edwin H. Ferguson Sr., died in 1976.
Survivors include children Edwin H. Ferguson Jr. of Concord and Chylene F. Robinson of Charlotte; sisters Sadie Query Hefner of Harrisburg, and Betty Query Sides of Charlotte; brothers Zeb and Victor Query, both of Concord; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
A service was held Monday, April 28, 2008, at Wilkinson Funeral Home, conducted by the Rev. Tom Anderson and the Rev. Bill Milholland. Burial, private, Carolina Memorial Park.
Memorials: Hospice & Palliative Care of Cabarrus County, 5003 Boy Scout Road, Kannapolis, NC 28081 or First Baptist Church, 200 Branchview Drive S.E., Concord, NC 28025.

Charles Fortune
CONCORD — Charles Edward Fortune, formerly of Scenic Drive, died Friday, April 25, 2008, at Morningside of Concord.
He was born March 25, 1929, in Cabarrus County to the late W.K. and Mary Belle Suther Fortune.
He retired from the city of Concord Light & Water Department after 30 years and was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church.
Survivors include wife Lorene Ritchie Fortune; daughters Sharon F. McRorie of Concord and Pam F. Cavalline of Charlotte; son Ken Fortune of Charlotte; 12 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a sister, Hazel Penninger of Raleigh.
A funeral was held Sunday, April 27, 2008, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, conducted by the Rev. Dr. Mark Ericson. Burial, church cemetery.
Memorials: St. John’s Lutheran Church, 100 St. John’s Road, Concord, NC 28025 or Hospice & Palliative Care, 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081.

Adam B. Griffin
CONCORD — Adam Boyce Griffin, 71, 42 Ridge Court S.E., died Thursday, April 24, 2008, at CMC-NorthEast.
Born Oct. 26, 1936, in Union County, he was a son of the late Chatham Griffin and Virginia Helms Faggart. He had been employed by ADM Milling Co. He was a member of Cold Water Baptist Church.
Survivors include wife Louise Mitchell Griffin; daughters Melissa G. Britt and Melinda Lynette Daniels, both of Concord; son Lanney Griffin of Concord; brother Bill Faggart of Midland; sister Ella Von Garmon of Concord; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren.
A service was held Monday, April 28, 2008, at Hartsell Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Jim Posey officiating. Burial, Carolina Memorial Park.
Memorials: Cold Water Baptist Church, 1045 Union St. S., Concord, NC 28025.

Roy M. Hardin
CHINA GROVE — Roy Michael Hardin, 42, of Highway 153, died Thursday, April 24, 2008.
Born July 9, 1965, in Yokosuka, Japan, he was a son of Sueko Kawasaki Hardin and the late Charles Perry Hardin.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by a daughter, Britanny Hardin, of Salisbury; and brother Steven Hardin of Salisbury.
A service was held Tuesday, April 29, 2008, at Lady’s Funeral Home, conducted by the Rev. Earl Hardin.

Willie H. Hartis
Willie Hunsucker Hartis, 78, 2207 Woodlawn St., Kannapolis, died April 20, 2008, at Transitional Health Services.
Born March 27, 1930, in Rowan County, she was the daughter of the late Vinnerd D. and Lelia Beaty Hunsucker. A retired waitress, she worked for many years at Zayre’s, Rose’s and Eckerd Drugs. She was a member of Genesis Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Linda Carol Hartis, and a grandson.
Survivors include husband Daniel S. “Dee” Hartis; daughter Sharon Hartis Clarke of Cameron; brother Dwight D. Hunsucker of St. Petersburg, Fla.; and four grandchildren.
A service was held Thursday, April 24, 2008, at Lady’s Funeral Home, conducted by the Rev. Gene Edwards. Burial, Carolina Memorial Park.
Memorials: Genesis Baptist Church, 9710 Old Concord-Salisbury Road, China Grove, NC 28023 or N.C. Scottish Rite Masonic Foundation Inc., P.O. Box 12745, Winston-Salem, NC 27117.

‘Red’ Lapish
Cloyd Ovid “Red” Lapish, 94, formerly of Kannapolis, died Sunday, April 20, 2008, at Lake Park Nursing Center, Indian Trail, after a period of declining health.
Born Feb. 2, 1914, in Iredell County, he was a son of the late Elonzo Lewis and Bertha Smith Lapish. He had been employed by Cannon Mills. He was a charter member of Memorial Baptist Church, Kannapolis, where he taught the Adult Men’s Sunday School Class for many years.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Blanche Godfrey Lapish.
Survivors include sons Clyde Lapish of Flint, Mich., and Bobby Lapish of Monroe; and sister Cleo Lambert of Kannapolis; two grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
A service was held Thursday, April 24, 2008, at Memorial Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Don Davis and the Rev. Dallas Pressley. Burial, Carolina Memorial Park.
Memorials: Alzheimer’s Association, Western Carolina Chapter, 3800 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215 or Hillcrest Baptist Church Rest Home, 4123 Hillcrest Church Road, Monroe, NC 28110.
Whitley’s Funeral Home is in charge.

Norman Lee
Norman Lee, 83, 219 West G St., Kannapolis, died Friday, April 24, 2008, at CMC-NorthEast.
Born in Cabarrus County on April 5, 1925, he was a son of the late Willis James and Nannie Hammons Lee. A member of Calvary Baptist Church, he retired from Cannon Mills Plant No. 4 and served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
His wife of 64 years, Ruth Souther Lee, died March 20, 2008. He was also preceded in dath by daughter Joyce Ann Lee and stepmother Julia Donaldson Lee.
Survivors include son Leonard James Lee of China Grove; half-sister Libby Oswalt; half-brothers William H. Lee and David Lee; two grandsons; and two great-grandsons.
A service was held Tuesday, April 29, 2008, at Calvary Baptist Church, with the Rev. Joel Ervin officiating. Burial, Carolina Memorial Park.
Lady’s Funeral Home is in charge.

Lottie G. Parker
CONCORD — Lottie Goodman Parker, 93, formerly of 2806 S. Ridge Ave., Concord, died Wednesday, April 23, 2008, at Hospice House, Kannapolis.
Born March 15, 1915, in Rowan County, she was a daughter of the late James Frank and Hannah Jane Victoria Goodman. She retired from Cannon Mills Plant No. 1 sewing room after 25 years. She was a member of Brookdale Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William Parker, on Dec. 26, 1983; and a son, Jimmie L. Parker.
Survivors include daughter Linda P. Gunnell; four grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
A service was held Saturday, April 26, 2008, at Whitley’s Funeral Home, conducted by the Rev. Mike Hubbard. Burial, Carolina Memorial Park.
Memorials: Hospice and Palliative Care of Cabarrus County, 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081.

Emma G. Peeler
SALISBURY — Emma Gabrielle Peeler, 2 days old,  daughter of William Grant Peeler III and Cheryl Helms Peeler of Dunn’s Mountain Road, died April 21, 2008, at Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte.
Born April 19, 2008, in Cabarrus County, she is survived by brother Justin Peeler; grandparents William Grant Peeler Jr. and Jean Peeler of Salisbury, Rick and Tess Helms of Kannapolis and Diane Linn of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; and great-grandparents Fred and Helen Helms of Kannapolis.
A service was held Saturday, April 26, 2008, at High Rock Community Church, Salisbury, with the Rev. Ronnie Pinyan officiating.
Memorials: Children’s Miracle Network, c/o Levine Children’s Hospital, 1000 Blythe Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203.
Whitley’s Funeral Home is in charge.

Benjamin Poteat
Benjamin Tyler Poteat, 28, 1104 Rogers Lake Road, Kannapolis, died Wednesday, April 23, 2008, at CMC-Charlotte, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
Born April 17, 1980, in Cabarrus County, he was a son of Kenneth A. Poteat of Kannapolis and Tina Smith Poteat of Mooresville. He was a graduate of A.L. Brown High School. He was a graphic design artist at Absolutely Signs for 10 years.
Survivors include wife April Hursey Poteat; daughter Brooke Elizabeth Poteat; sons Brayden Tyler Poteat and Kenneth Brodie Poteat; stepson Brennen Andrew Manus; sisters Kathrine Jeanne Poteat, Kannapolis, and Sara Marie Poteat, Oakboro; paternal grandparents Nancy J. Fisher, Concord, and Ken and Evelyn Poteat, Midland; and maternal grandparents Frank and Jeanne Smith, Lake Norman.
A service was held Friday, April 25, 2008, at Whitley’s Funeral Home, conducted by Dr. Glenn L. Myers. Burial, Oakwood Cemetery, Concord.
Memorials: American Diabetes Association-Charlotte Office, 222 S. Church St., Suite 336M, Charlotte, NC 28202.

Linda L. Propst
CONCORD — Linda Louise Sumlin Propst, 58, of Malvern Drive S.W., died Friday, April 25, 2008, at CMC-NorthEast.
Born Dec. 19, 1949, in Cabarrus County, she was the daughter of Robert Lee Sumlin and the late Betsy Brown Sumlin.
Survivors, in addition to her father, include daughters Angela S. Thomas and Linda K. Sumlin, both of Concord;  sister Yvonne Sumlin of Kannapolis; brother Alfred Sumlin of Concord; five grandchildren; and  two great-grandchildren.
Services: 2 p.m. today (Wednesday, April 30, 2008) at Shiloh Baptist Church, with the Rev. Wesley Harding officiating. Interment will be at Rutherford Memorial Cemetery, Concord.
Visitation: 1:30-2 p.m. today at the church.
Clark Funeral Home is in charge.

James Rice
CONCORD — James Clifford Rice, 89, of The Gardens of Taylor Glen, died Thursday, April 24, 2008, at his residence.
Born Dec. 1, 1918, in Salisbury, he was the son of the late James Henry and Blanche Lillian Rice. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II and was later employed by Vision Hosiery Mills. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Belmont.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 37 years, Margaret Howe Rice; and his wife of 23 years, Jane Arens Rice.
Survivors include daughter Mary Margaret Rice Morrison, Concord; brother Harry W. Rice, Charlotte; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
There was a private family graveside service on Saturday, April 26, 2008, at Greenwood Cemetery, Belmont.
Memorials: First Presbyterian Church of Concord, Endowment Fund, at P.O. Box 789, Concord, NC 28026.
Wilkinson Funeral Home is in charge.

Mary Reese Sherrill
MOORESVILLE — Mary Helen Reese Sherrill, 86, of the Camp Wesley Community, died Monday, April 21, 2008, at Brian Center, Concord, after a short illness.
Born Jan. 7, 1922, in Catawba County, she was a daughter of the late Fred L. and Anna Smyre Reese. She was educated in the Catawba County schools. She worked at Cannon Mills Co. Plant 1, Wash Cloth Department for 35 years until her retirement.
She was an active member of North Kannapolis Wesleyan Church, where she taught Sunday school in the Ruth Class.
Her husband of 65 years, James E. “Shorty” Sherrill Sr., died March 16, 2007.
Survivors include sons Henry Allen Sherrill of China Grove and James “Jim” Everette Sherrill Jr. of Kannapolis; daughters Mary Frances Sherrill Carlson of St. Charles, Ill., and Mildred Faye Sherrill Mills of Rockwell; brothers Lee Reese of Conover, Harold, Hugh and Fred Reese, all of Hickory and Paul Reese of Minnesota; and sister Lois Hambright of Shelby.
A service was held Thursday, April 24, 2008, at North Kannapolis Wesleyan Church, conducted by the Rev. Steve Beam. Burial, Carolina Memorial Park.
Memorials: North Kannapolis Wesleyan Church, c/o Building Fund, 314 12th St., Kannapolis, NC 28081.
Whitley’s Funeral Home is in charge.

Mary B. Tucker
Mary Basinger Tucker, 77, 807 Alma Ave., Kannapolis, died Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at CMC-NorthEast.
Born in Rowan County on March 19, 1931, she was a daughter of the late Marvin Pony and Myrtle Castor Basinger. She retired from the weave room of Cannon Mills.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jason Clinton Tucker in November 1968; and her companion of 31 years, Harold Allman, on March 21, 2008; four children, Marvinia Gulledge, J.C. Tucker, Jerry Tucker and Randy Tucker.
Survivors include daughter Virginia Plummer, with whom she lived; sons Rex and Carl Tucker, both of Rockwell; sisters Judy Stirewalt of Kannapolis, Ann Davis of Concord, Betty Kluttz of Rockwell, Tona Faye Culp and Linda Davis, both of Faith; 13 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
A service was held Friday, April 25, 2008, at Organ Lutheran Church, conducted by the Rev. Terrell Long. Burial, church cemetery.
Lady’s Funeral Home is in charge.

Leonard Wright Sr.
Leonard C. Wright Sr., 80,  569 Hunter Ave., Kannapolis, died Thursday, April 24, 2008, at Five Oaks Manor.
Born Nov. 8, 1927, in Anson County, he was the son of the late Owen and Dezzi Parnell Wright. He was a World War II veteran, serving with the U.S. Army. He had worked for Cannon Mills for 48 years and retired in 1992. He attended Bethel Wesleyan Church.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Diane Phelps.
Survivors include wife Mary Smith Wright; son Leonard C. Wright Jr. of Concord; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; sister Susie Fink of Newell; and half-brother Frank Parnell of Florida.
The funeral service was held Monday, April 28, 2008, at Bethel Wesleyan Church, Concord, with the Rev. Joe Harding officiating. Burial, Memorial Park, Kannapolis.
Whitley’s Funeral Home was in charge.